IOSHA investigating fatal elevator accident at school

Indiana OSHA is investigating after a licensed contractor died while he was doing routine maintenance on the elevator in a private school in Connersville, Indiana last week. The 67-year-old man reportedly was trapped under the elevator on the first floor. WTHR (Indianapolis)

 

Employer’s plea in in trench death rejected

An employer, who was charged in a 2019 trench collapse in Granby, Colorado that killed one of his employees, appears unlikely to avoid significant jail time. The 52-year-old man was charged with manslaughter, but a proposed plea agreement would have had him admit to criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. Sky-Hi News (Granby, Colo.)

 

Fed-OSHA proposes changes to Hazard Communication Standard

Fed-OSHA is proposing rule changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM), in order to better align with various international standards on chemical hazard communication as well as the continuation of global harmonization efforts, write two attorneys with Frost Brown Todd LLC. Some key proposed changes include: incorporating pyrophoric gases into the Flammable Gas category of hazard classes; adding the new hazard class desensitized explosives; and revamping the classification category of aerosols, among others. Those interested in making comments on the proposed changes must submit comments to Fed-OSHA by May 19, 2021. Lexology

 

OR-OSHA makes rules on masks, distancing permanent until no longer needed

Oregon OSHA adopted a rule Tuesday to continue to require use of masks, physical distancing and other measures in the workplace until they are no longer needed. The agency will discuss whether the rule is still needed or can be rescinded before July 2021 and every two months thereafter until the rule is repealed. KMTR (Eugene, Ore.)

 

Fed-OSHA schedules fall protection stand-down

During the eighth annual “National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction” event that started Monday, Fed-OSHA is promoting awareness and training on how to better control fall-related hazards. National Law Review